Jobs in progress-updated March 30, 2003

Curved lath and plaster
stairway ceilings

metal lath and plaster. Ceilings under curved stairways
Ceilings under these curved stairways
are done with metal lath and plaster.
Not only does the plaster conform to the curve, but the durability will protect the
ceilings from vibration from walking up and down the stairs		 Mynor rods off the brown coat in between the curved stringers. We only
use sand plaster for the brown coat.
United States Gypsum says never use light weight aggregate on metal lath. It is too weak.
stucco arches stucco arches
Arches are formed by cutting strips of masonite to the wall thickness and setting them with a string line.
This is our secret trick. Please don't tell anyone.		 Wall is the filled in a rodded off in between
the arches and the corner strip.
Later we take of the masonite and the corner strips and we have a straight wall, ready for the finish.
This stucco pediment This stucco pediment will be finished with
La Habra stucco color and real portland cement and sand.

We have about 6 things started and nothing finished. Please check back for the dramatic conclusion of this and other projects.

Lath and plaster
coffer ceiling

This ceiling has a light troffer channel iron and metal lath ceiling
This ceiling has a light troffer for indirect lighting.  Light troffers are framed with 3/4" channel iron spaced 12" and tied to cross furring, more 3/4" iron wire-tied to the wood framing. The channel iron adds reinforcement to ceiling, like re-bar in concrete. We should have a ceiling about as strong as concrete.
We framed the sides of the "tray" ceiling by
screwing metal stud "kickers" to the old ceiilng.		 Mynor ties on metal lath with tie wire.
The maximum spacing for channel iron is 16".
I learned to space it 12" on center. Why be cheap?
One day, in the future, when someone tries to tear out my ceiling, they'll be cussing
and whining. 
Ceiling is brown coated with sand plaster Template is made to run the troffers
Ceiling is brown coated with sand plaster and rodded off.  Template is made to run the troffers. Please check back to see this way cool ceiling as it progresses.
plaster ceiling
Note the new plaster patch around this opening.
The openings were shifted over for a straight view of our fancy ceiling.

Darrell's house
Washington, DC

dry dash stucco an addition we stuccoed
This form of pebble dash stucco is called dry dash, because the pebbles are thrown dry into the mortar. The procedure is put the mortar on and throw rocks like crazy before the mortar sets up. The bottom floor is an addition we stuccoed 6 years ago and we did the new addition to match. You would be surprised how many times we stucco an addition and go back later to do another.

Plaster renovation
Washington, DC

Plaster renovation Door infills and other patches are filled
in with molding plaster and lime.
This white mortar sets fast and allows for same day completion. Set fast, finish fast, that's my motto.
Note the corner beads set for the arch opening. We have a lot more to do here.
Please come back to see more.